Overview

OQA „Austrian Society for the Promotion of Quality“

OQA is the only organization in Austria that awards the Austria Quality Seal for products of Austrian origin as well as the International Quality Seal for products from any country of origin. The Quality Seal is also awarded to services (Austrian Model Company "Österreichischer Musterbetrieb").

Click here to see the Austria Quality Seal catalogue (german)  

Together with its member organisations, OQA, an organisation with decades of experience, sees its mission in promoting quality and strengthening competitiveness of Austrian trade and industry. At the moment about 500 registered companies are multiple users of the Austria Quality Seal. This is clear evidence for intensive commitment. The certificate is a confirmation of tested quality - for more than 75 years - and it is still up to date!

OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH (Certification Ltd.) (100% subsidiary of OQA – Austrian Society for the Promotion of Quality) was established in December 2007. 

The OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH (Certification Ltd.) is license-partner of VDA QMC and offers VDA-trainings since October 2017 in Austria.

Click here to see VDA QMC licence trainings  

History and legal bases

Up to now the legal basis for granting Austria Quality Seals for Products has been the Austria Quality Seal Regulation dated 1942. On December 31, 2009, this regulation became ineffective (§ 4 al. 2, Annex Index Number 95.08.02, of the First BRBG (“Bundesrechtsbereinigungsgesetz” – Act to Abolish Obsolete Legislation), BGBl. (“Bundesgesetzblatt” – Federal Law Gazette) I No. 191/1999).

OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH (Certification Ltd.) (100% subsidiary of OQA „Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung der Qualität“ (Austrian Society for the Promotion of Quality)) was established in December 2007. Accreditation existing since November 26, 2004 (Austrian Accreditation Act, BGBl. (“Bundesgesetzblatt” – Law Gazette) No. 448/2004) as a Certification Body acc. to ÖNORM EN 45011, which had been granted by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs, was transferred to OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH (Certification Ltd.) in June 2008.

OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH (Certification Ltd.) is a hundred percent subsidiary company of the OQA „Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung der Qualität“ (Austrian Society for the Promotion of Quality) and accredited as a body certifying services acc. to ISO/IEC 17065 with the identification number PSID 0934.

With the edict BGBl.154 vom 10. May 2011 the accreditation has been expanded from the Federal Ministry of Digital, Business and Enterprise.

Accreditation includes the Quality Guidelines (GRL – Güterichtlinien):
GRL01 “Austria Quality Seal Care Facilities For elderly People (residential and in-patient)”
GRL03 “Austria Quality Seal Health Tourism - Best Health Austria”
GRL04: Austria Quality Seal for Fire Protection Management”
GRL07 "Austria Quality Seal Property Management"
GRL08 "Austria Quality Seal Fitter"
GRL09 "Austria Quality Seal Manpower Providers"
GRL10 "Austria Quality Seal At-Home Nursing Care" and
GRL11 "Austria Quality Seal House caretakers"

Not included in the scope of accreditation of OQA:
GRL06 “Austria Quality Seal for Doctor's Offices”

OQA awards the right to use the Austria Quality Seal. As opposed to a trademark, it is non-transferable and non-divestible. OQA documents the issuance, loss and denial of the quality seal. OQA has the right to inspect all parties following a warrant of legal interest.

The conditions governing the conferment and usage of the Austria Quality Seal are stated in the general terms and conditions (in german, valid for the accredited division) of the OQA.

The OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH (Certification Ltd.) is license-partner of VDA-QMC and offers VDA-trainings since October 2017 in Austria.

OQA is independent in economic terms and from any political party and uses the resources it gains itself as an NPO to strengthen its own efficiency in the service of society.

Business and quality policy

OQA is an independent and neutral organisation offering its services – marking quality by using suitable means and granting the right to hold the registered quality labels and association brands – to companies, organisations and businesspersons of any sector and size to the benefit of overall economy and society.

For OQA, products, services, methods and procedures deserve their quality is marked if it is evidenced and ensured that the average quality level of comparable product, services, methods and procedures is exceeded and the relevant Quality Guidelines are fulfilled.

OQA initiates, develops and provides its services alone or in co-operation with domestic or foreign legal entities in the field of product, service and system quality, carries out all the activities of a Certification Body in conformity to legal and other requirements and does not perform any consulting activities.

All the internal and external employees of OQA are obliged to carry out their activities with utmost care and due diligence and to the customers’ satisfaction while complying with the legal requirements (above all Accreditation Act) and relevant standards (e.g. EN ISO/IEC 17065) and the rules of OQA’s QM system.

Complaints
Please find the details regarding complaints right here (german document). In case of complaints please contact oeqa(at)qualityaustria.com.

Membership

Every Austria Quality Seal user is a member of OQA, the annual fees for use are comparable to membership fees.

Become a Quality Seal User


Costumer benefits

The Austria Quality Seal, a non-transferable trademark, is a symbol for distinctive quality. Used on product labeling, it provides consumers with valuable support in purchasing decisions. It is a distinctive brand with lasting impact. Hence, all seal bearers also benefit from promotional activities surrounding the Austria Quality Seal. Effective marketing becomes affordable: from mention on the OQA website to participation in informational events to regular appearances on television broadcasts and print media. Substantial and effective advertising at a low price. OQA - make a mark together.

Because of close contact with appropriate testing bodies, the seal bearer works with the latest information. Permanent progress contributes to optimum results. For model operations, the commendation with the Austria Quality Seal is the first step towards an ISO 9000 certification. The Austria Quality Seal supplements existing quality management systems and seal bearers can demonstrate that their products also comply with stringent quality criteria. Evident commitment to extraordinary performance - a distinction rewarded by the consumer. The Austria Quality Seal for improved revenues. The right approach to lasting success.

Members

Here you find Austria Quality Seal users.

Management

Here you find more information about the current ownership structure.

The basis for long-term success!

News & Events

08. Jan 2024

Current information on the ISO 450xx series

New publication EN ISO 45001:2023

Learn more
13. Mar 2024

Event: 29. qualityaustria Forum

21. Dec 2023

ISO 9001 Revision: What you need to know now!

The first board meeting has taken place

Learn more
18. Dec 2023

Whistleblower system SecuReveal now accessible via qualityaustria website

All about the anonymous whistleblowing system for whistleblowers

Learn more
28. Nov 2023

SCC: Current status and important news

Known key points and further information

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07. Nov 2023

Quality Austria is new Certification Body for ISO/IEC 27001

Increasing demand for information security

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28. Aug 2023

Notified Body for in vitro diagnostics and medical devices

Communication from QMD Services GmbH

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24. Aug 2023

Achieving the green transformation with management systems

Achieving the green transformation with management systems

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24. Aug 2023

Pick up speed with EN 15085

Quality Austria recognized as manufacturer certification body

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19. Sep 2023

Event: CIS Compliance Summit 2023

The event will take place on 19 September 2023 at the ATH Savoyen in Vienna.

Learn more
07. Aug 2023

Quality Austria receives accredi­tation for ISO 55001 Asset Management

Key standard for asset management

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03. Aug 2023

ISO 9001 is being revised!

Revision of the international quality standard approved

Learn more

We are happy to help!

Contact Persons

Team

Ms. Katharina Melmer

Office Management (OQA "Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung der Qualität", Gonzagagasse 1/27, 1010 Vienna) Tel.: +43 1 535 37 48-14

Team

Training, automotive (OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH, Gonzagagasse 1/27, 1010 Vienna) Tel.: +43 1 535 37 48

Team

Portraitfoto quadratisch von Opo Srisation, aufgenommen 2022 in schwarz/weiß

Ms. Opo Srisaton

Austria Quality Seal services (OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH, Gonzagagasse 1/27, 1010 Vienna) Tel. +43 1 535 37 48-17

Team

Ms. Martina Winter

CEO (OQA "Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung der Qualität"), General Manager (OQA Zertifizierungs-GmbH, Gonzagagasse 1/27, 1010 Vienna) Tel.: +43 1 535 37 48

+43 732 34 23 22